Spain Cycling the Camino de Santiago Bike Tour 2019 Individual Self-Guided 8 days / 7 nights

Transcription

1 Spain Cycling the Camino de Santiago Bike Tour 2019 Individual Self-Guided 8 days / 7 nights This is not a standard cycling tour! People from many countries across Europe have been travelling along the Camino de Santiago for centuries. The Camino itself is part of our history and cultural heritage. Out of all the long distance routes that exist, only the Camino de Santiago has been given the recognition of World Heritage by the United Nations because of its historical and spiritual significance. Countless millions have walked it over the last thousand years and yet it has remained largely unchanged. It continues to cross the same rivers, climb the same mountains and pass by the same villages, chapels, churches and cathedrals. You will be cycling the final 270 kilometers of the classic Camino de Santiago. Starting at the historic Roman town of Astorga, in the North West of old Castilla, will give you a chance to soak up the history that surrounds this long distance route even before you start cycling.

2 Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Astorga Arrival to Astorga and a chance to explore this interesting city with its walled city centre, Episcopal Church designed by Gaudi and beautiful Cathedral. Day 2: Astorga - Molinaseca 49 km m Today you will cycle into the Maragatería area, a wooded and mountainous region where beautiful villages with large red stone houses, dot the landscape. You will climb to the highest point of the tour. Here you will pass the stone cross at 1.510m, where traditionally each pilgrim leaves a stone they have carried all the way from their homeland. You might want to bring your own small pebble with you. Later you will descend into the rich valley of the Bierzo. Day 3: Molinaseca Ferrerias/ O Cebreiro 48.7 km m or 58 km m On day 3 you will cycle through the flat cultivated landscapes of the Bierzo valley, which produces excellent wines, fruit and vegetables. Around midday you will reach the mountains as you go through the historic town of Villafranca del Bierzo. Depending on which hotel you are at, you will then have to climb the famously steep O Cebreiro mountain pass which separates the regions of Castilla and Galicia or you will stay at the foothills and do the climb the next morning. Whichever, the views at the top are well worth the effort! Day 4: Ferrerias/O Cebreiro - Sarria 35.7 km m or 45 km m Today sees you in a new region, with a very different climate, vegetation and people. Galicia is green Spain, wooded and mountainous. Today you will descend into the small town of Samos where one of the ancient monasteries of the Middle Ages still remains inhabited by monks. Don t miss the opportunity to visit it! Then your route meanders alongside streams and rivers flowing from the mountains to the town of Sarria. Day 5: Sarria - Palas de Rei 48 km m Today you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino in Galicia. Traveling on narrow secondary roads through woodland and green pastures, you will discover a true haven of peace and tranquility as you go past tiny villages where people live off the land, as they have done for generations.

3 Day 6: Palas de Rei - Rua 60 km m Today you ll be tempted to stop and savour every village you encounter, each one a hidden gem with stone built houses, narrow streets and seemingly caught in a time warp! You can breathe the history along the way and can only imagine how many thousands of people over the centuries have shaped this legendary route. Day 7: Rua - Santiago de Compostela 27 km m Time to relish the last remaining kilometers of your adventure. Today the Camino leads you into the very heart of the unique city of pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela, into the Plaza de Obradioro overlooking the cathedral built in honour of Saint James. A city shrouded in centuries of legends, you will arrive elated to the echoes of the pilgrims who have gone before you. This is a truly spiritual and uplifting experience! With a buzz of satisfaction and a smile on your face you will arrive with enough time to get your Compostelana or Pilgim s Passport. This singular city offers many important landmarks for you to enjoy, every corner imbued with history and atmosphere. You won t want to say goodbye! Day 8: Departure Departure or why not linger in Santiago a few days to rest and enjoy?

4 Route Technical Characteristics: Tour Profile: Relatively Difficult. Longer distances and hilly terrain, with perhaps four ascents per day. All the cycling is done on tarmac, using touring bikes, not mountain bikes. You will cycle beside the Camino for much of the way along small roads, but when roads become busier, closer to Santiago, we have selected a parallel route along beautiful countryside which avoid busier main roads. Tarmac: 100% Distance: km Travel Season: Daily departures from April 1 to October 31, 2019 Also available 18 day / 17 night option. Please ask us for more details.

5 Price per Person: Double Occupancy B&B Single Supplement Half Board/Dinners Bike rental E-Bike rental GPS device rental Extra Luggage (per item) Extra Nights Astorga Double Occupancy Extra Nights Astorga Single Occupancy Extra Nights Santiago Double Occupancy Extra Nights Santiago Single Occupancy Accommodation: Our hotels are conveniently positioned very near or on the Camino and are always the best quality on offer along the way. They are typically of 3 star grading. Included: 7 nights accommodation 7 breakfasts Luggage transfers between hotels Detailed maps with your trail clearly marked Itinerary description, full of recommendations for things to do and places to visit, advice and suggestions and information about your accommodation, etc. Emergency support

6 Bikes Giant Argento and Kalkhoff Voyager or equivalent. Puncture resistant hybrid tyres ideal for road cycling but with some tread to give you the security you need on dirt track sections, 21 or 24 gears, comfortable seat, front suspension, adjustable handle bars, bike stand, mudguards, bottle holder as standard. Odometer included. Also included: Rear panniers -- Map carrier Helmet Pump -- Puncture repair kit -- Multi tool set -- Bike lock Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free Local TICO Ontario Registration No: